A controversial council litter squad has been patrolling Liverpool’s streets for five months now - and their lucrative efforts have seen them awarded a new 12-month contract by the authority.

In fact, the council was forced to enter a formal tendering process because officers from its private enforcement partner Kingdom had made them so much money, that they were in danger of breaking European Union laws.

The so-called litter squad have had a topsy turvy time in the city so far - with their huge collection figures tempered by accusations of bullying, intimidation and even having the police called to remove them from one particular site.

But Liverpool Council - who have upped their enforcement team by 325% through the new partnership - is delighted wth the results and said statistics show how the presence of the officers is resulting in cleaner streets and changing habits.

The stats also show just how lucrative the operation is for both Kingdom and the council.

The Echo has obtained a wide-ranging breakdown of how many fines have been handed out, what people have been fined for and how much money has been made in the first five months of the new deal.